Although Japan has prided itself as having the most efficient public transportation systems around large metropolitan areas around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, less known sceneries are definitely worth and handy exploring by car. Here is a brief guide aiming at helping you drive comfortably on Japanese roads.
Driving is on the left-hand side of the road in Japan. Even though Japanese drivers are renowned for their respect of the driving rules, you should pay attention to cyclists, some of whom happen to ride on the wrong side of the road.
Speed LimitThe speed limits in Japan are between 80 and 100 km/h on expressways, 30 km/h in side streets, 40 km/h in urban areas, and between 50 and 60 km/h elsewhere unless states otherwise.
Traffic SignsThere are mainly four types of traffic signs in Japan: regulatory signs, warning signs, information and direction signs. For each type, you can find below several signs that you may not familiar with.
A typical Japanese regulatory sign generally features a red circle with a white background and blue pictograms.
 Speed Limit (90 km/h) |  Minimum Speed Limit (50 km/h) |  No Overtaking |  Road Closed to Toll |  Road Closed to Vehicles |  Slow down (In Japanese and English) |
Japanese warning signs feature a diamond shape and yellow background.
 Crossroads |  Bumpy Road |  Wild Animals Crossing (Deer) |  Succession of More Than Two Curves to the Right |  Railroad Crossing Ahead |  Tram Crossing Ahead |
Japanese information signs feature a green background.
 Emergency Telephone |  Rest Area/Parking Fuel Stand, Etc. |
Direction signs in Japan feature a rectangular shape with a blue or green background.
 Expressway Entrance |  Destination & Direction |
To read more about Japanese road signs, here is a more detailed booklet.
Seatbelt LawsDrivers and all the passengers are required by law to wear a seatbelt. Failure to fasten your seatbelt may result in a fine.
Booster Seat LawsChildren under 6 years of age must be seated in child seats.
Parking· Permitted Parking
In Japan, parking cost normally depends on the size of the city and the distance from the city centre. Parking in small towns and cities is usually free.
Paid parking can be expensive in big cities, costing several hundreds of yen per hour. Parking lots in national parks or near tourist attractions sometimes charge a flat fee (typically 200 to 500 yen per use). Urban hotels usually provide parking for their guests at a flat rate (typically 1000 yen per night), while hotels outside the large cities usually offer free parking.
· Forbidden Parking
Please do not park your car indicated with the “No Parking” signs.
Also do not park the rental vehicle in a place only allowed to use by renting on a monthly basis, marked by the “Kanji” of “月極 ” or “月極駐車場”.
In addition, it is against the law to park a vehicle in the following places in Japan:
- In a tunnel
- On, or within five metres of the edge of an intersection
- Within three metres of the automobile entrance of a garage, car-park or similar
- On pedestrian or cycle crossings and railway lines
- Within ten metres of a bus stop or a bus stop sign
- Within five metres of the edge of an area of road works
- Within five metres of a fire hydrant, water tank or other fire safety equipment
Forbidden parking in Japan will lead to a hefty fine.
Fuel PricesThe average gasoline price in Japan in January 2018 was 141.50 Japanese Yen per litre, while the diesel price was 118.40 over the same period of time.
TollMost of the expressways in Japan are toll roads and you must pass through the automatic ETC (Electric Toll Collection) gate or manual gate with ticketing machine. It is highly common to rent an ETC system with the car hire company when taking a self-driving tour in Japan, and it allows you to drive through the ETC gate without stopping. ETC gate feature white “ETC 專用” characters on a purple background.5
Alternative to ETC tolling, you may proceed to the manual gate, which is recognized by the“一般” characters written with a green background. Cash or bank cards can be used to pay the toll fee before entering the road.
DUI LawsThe alcohol limit in Japan is BAC 0.03%. Drink driving above the limit can result in a maximum prison sentence of 3 years or a fine of about $480,000 Japanese Yen.
Traffic FinesSpeed cameras and speed traps are used to monitor driving speed in Japan. Drivers who exceed the speed limits up to 40km/h over can be fined from 9000 Japanese Yen to 35,000 Japanese Yen, and a 50km/h excess or more over will be viewed as criminal infringement and can result in a prison sentence up to 6 months, or up to 100,000 Japanese Yen fine.
Parking in the prohibitive areas will usually cause a fine from 10,000 to 20,000 Japanese Yen.
Q1.What is an insurance excess？
Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?
Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?
Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?
Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?
Know our privacy policy - you can easily unsubscribe any time!
Scan QR code
to download the QEEQ app
Sign up today for an extra US$40 coupon package!
Customer Service
February 22, 2025
Destination: Hokkaido
On drop off I forgot my gloves in the car and I was already back at the airport when I noticed. The staff organized to have the gloves delivered to me within half an hour of my drop off at the airport. Very impressive!!
View moreFebruary 18, 2025
Destination: Tokyo
The wait time was longer than expected as the shop is not at the terminal and the shuttle bus is slow (need to wait for a few parties to go in one go)
View moreFebruary 6, 2025
Destination: Sapporo
Counter staff was good and clear with instructions to enable smooth and easy collection and drop-off.
View moreFebruary 6, 2025
Destination: Tokyo
Pickup was a bit slow. I called ahead as I was arriving but needed to wait an extra 20 minutes for the shuttle to the rental office. Overall shuttle wait, drive to rental office, paperwork and pickup took 1~1.5 hours.
View moreFebruary 4, 2025
Destination: Sapporo
The staff was extremely useful and very responsive.
View moreFebruary 3, 2025
Destination: Osaka
Staff charged me JPY10,000 for after hours pick up. Charged me JPY12,000 for winter tyres. Did not provide ETC card however I specifically requested that.
View moreFebruary 3, 2025
Destination: Tokyo
Very responsive!
View moreJanuary 28, 2025
Destination: Naha
Yes. The car we choose meet our needs.
View moreJanuary 22, 2025
Destination: Ishigaki
Satisfactory
View moreJanuary 12, 2025
Destination: Tokyo
Superb, thank you for deliver the car to my hotel.
View moreJanuary 12, 2025
Destination: Osaka
Again, please check the condition of the car especially music player. Driving 4-5 hours a day without music is very sleepy. With the cold weather and the sunshine, it was very very sleepy environment, haha.
View moreJanuary 8, 2025
Destination: Tokyo
The rental company created a whatsapp group chat for convenience of coordination for pick-up and drop-off of rental car.
View moreJanuary 8, 2025
Destination: Tokyo
HOWEVER, there was a huge problem. We booked a Mitsbushi Pajaero as we required a FULL SIZED 4WD with high clearance and 4WD. We received a Mazda CX8 which was large enough but not 4WD meaning that we could NOT go where we wanted and got stuck in the snow several times and us not having a full high high clearance 4WD ruined our trip. The car we were given was not equivalent.
View moreJanuary 2, 2025
Destination: Fukuoka
All enquires after booking was promptly reply.
View moreDecember 28, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
The staff was very helpful on both sides. No issues with the process. Nice hybrid car. It made for an easy trip.
View moreDecember 26, 2024
Destination: Naha
Staff to offer changing sat nav to English
View moreDecember 26, 2024
Destination: Tokyo
No tuvimos posibilidad de modificar la categoría del vehículo una vez en recepción. Por lo demás todo correcto
View moreDecember 20, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
They need to ensure rental cars are regularly serviced and is actually drivable.
View moreDecember 18, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
They were so efficient and thorough. Clear communication, very thoughtful interactions, overall I was extremely satisfied with the whole experience.
View moreDecember 8, 2024
Destination: Osaka
No
View moreNovember 29, 2024
Destination: Natori
Excelente
View moreNovember 26, 2024
Destination: Tokyo
예정된 차가 아니라서 실망했습니다.
View moreNovember 20, 2024
Destination: Naha
Sudeep was very professional and friendly. Even with his limited English vocabulary, he was ablet to explain the key points of the rental process properly.
View moreNovember 20, 2024
Destination: Naha
There was no wait for the car when I picked up and the staff was very nice and friendly for the return.
View moreNovember 19, 2024
Destination: Kirishima
The service provider is actually Toyota Car Rental.
View moreNovember 19, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
Pick up at terminal was smooth. Explanations were clear and concise. Vehicle in good condition. Returning was seamless. Drop off at convenient spot.
View moreNovember 18, 2024
Destination: Sapporo
The folks can converse in japanese as well as chinese or english.
View moreNovember 13, 2024
Destination: Hanamaki
カウンターは少し混んでましたが、2人がかりで対応していたので、そんなに時間はかからなく車も受け取れました。
View moreNovember 13, 2024
Destination: Hokkaido
good
View moreNovember 10, 2024
Destination: Tokyo
Yes. Got a bigger car. Service was excellent and staff had enough English to make pick up easy and clarify drop off location after our GPS malfunction. I would suggest that the car GPS be updated. Some Hotel locations and points of interest were just not available in the car GPS.
View moreOctober 26, 2024
Destination: Chitose
All good
View moreOctober 22, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
The staff were positively brilliant. Car rental companies have a very bad reputation but I could not speak more highly of the staff there. They were so incredibly friendly and helpful. She even gave my daughter a little toy! I will definitely be renting from them again.
View moreOctober 20, 2024
Destination: Naha
There was definitely a language issue. Google translate or being able to speak Mandarin for this company would be most helpful.
View moreOctober 14, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
It was Times in Fukuoka providing the rental NOT Europcar
View moreOctober 14, 2024
Destination: Naha
Though the van itself had issues and had to be replace midway through our trip, the customer service at M7 was excellent. When we first picked up our van, Gus offered us umbrellas to use throughout out rental time in case of rain. Then when we had car trouble he took responsibility for it and replace our van with a new one the next morning. Gus was excellent to work with.
View moreOctober 12, 2024
Destination: Natori
매우만족
View moreOctober 10, 2024
Destination: Osaka
good service , staff helpful strongly recommend
View moreOctober 10, 2024
Destination: Chitose
Nissan Note was very new and it comes with 4-wheel drive!
View moreOctober 10, 2024
Destination: Osaka
Overall very good
View moreOctober 10, 2024
Destination: Kunisaki
차량 렌트 장소와 반납장소가 다른 경우에는 렌트비용이 증가하니 여행 경비에 이점을 예산에 반영 해 주세요
View moreSeptember 29, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
Staff spoke little English but otherwise happy with the service
View moreSeptember 29, 2024
Destination: Naha
Nice van clean perfect
View moreSeptember 27, 2024
Destination: Fukuoka
บริการดี ติดต่อง่ายเมื่อไปถึงจุดรับรถ
View moreSeptember 27, 2024
Destination: Naha
Excellent staff - very helpful.
View moreSeptember 26, 2024
Destination: Tokyo
The Car exceeded our expectation, the service also, highly recommended. If you are planning to drive there make sure to take the card for road tax as you will be constantly paying it and there won’t be other option in some cases than the automatic payment.
View moreSeptember 24, 2024
Destination: Hiroshima
Everything is good
View moreSeptember 9, 2024
Destination: Tokyo
I expected that I might be late in return the car when I rented it because I was travelling with 2 kids. As QEEQ suggested, I checked with Times staff when I rented the car. Times staff at the airport counter told me that JPY880 per hour, JPY1760 for 2 hours. However, when I returned the car at Times store, another Times staff charged me 6000 JPY. They said 2-hour is within 1-6 hour range, so that 6-hour charge applied. No time for me to argue as I was rushing to the airport.
View moreSeptember 3, 2024
Destination: Shinjuku-ku
Perfect
View moreAugust 31, 2024
Destination: Kitasaku
Counter staff could not speak much English so translation app useful.
View moreAugust 25, 2024
Destination: Tokyo
The car exceeded our expectations. Miscommunication with pick up time. We had booked for 9am. Didn’t get car till 12pm. However, staff member was apologetic and gave kids a box of biscuits. The car itself was brilliant, ETC was great.Drop off went very smoothly and quick
View more